"We greatly welcome the Mental Health Strategy Implementation
Framework, and in particular its strong emphasis on the need for
mental health to be valued equally with physical health.

"It should be a matter of huge public concern
that people with serious mental illness can have their life
expectancy reduced by 20 years as a result of associated physical
illness, increased health risk behaviour and other factors. Those
with depression can have a reduced life expectancy of 10 years.
Similarly, people with long-term physical health conditions, such
as diabetes or heart disease, are two to three times more likely to
experience mental health problems than the general population."

"This needs to change, and there is a
compelling moral and economic case for effective, safe and high
quality care to be available. We challenge commissioners, health
and wellbeing boards, service providers, service users, carers and
the public to ensure that the Mental Health Strategy is given the
priority it deserves and is fully implemented at a local level, as
that is where decisions will be made about what is provided.
The College has already done a considerable amount of work on
the issue of debt and mental health, and has produced an online
Work and Mental Health resource aimed at employers, employees and
clinicians.

"We are delighted that Public Health England
will be integrating mental health and wellbeing throughout all of
its key functions and approaches. Again, it will be just as
important that as public health moves across into local
authorities, public mental health is given the same priority
locally.

"Finally, it is heartening to see that the
Framework emphasises an integrated approach that recognises the
breadth of activity required to improve mental health also beyond
the health service, within for example the criminal justice system,
education and by employers."